Hearing aid device



June 16, 1959 c o s 2,891,116

HEARING AID DEVICE Filed March 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. A/a 720/7 Z? M'C770ZS ATTORNEYS June 16, 1959 I R NI HOLS 2,891,116

HEARING AID DEVICE Filed March 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TO'R.

ATTORNEYS .means of the hearing aid.

United States Patent iiice 2,891,116 Patented June 16, 1959 2,891,116 HEARING AID DEVICE Application March *4, 1955, Serial No. 492,121

6 Claims. ,(Cl. .179.107)

This invention relates to hearing aid devices and particularly to unitary devices which are adapted to be worn on the head of a person.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hearing aid device which is small, light in weight and properly 'balanced so that it can be easily put into position over the head and securely held in place and concealed in the hair.

It is another object of the invention to provide streamlined soundreceivingand sound-producing means on the hearing aid device having readily accessible controls and located with the sound-receiving means close to one ear and the sound-producing'means, either of the acoustical or bone-conducting type, close to the other car for minimum loss of power.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cordless hearing aid device having a novel headband construction which eliminates wiring, eliminates clothing noise and mufling effects of the clothing and reduces objectionable harsh high-frequency sounds.

A feature of the invention resides in the novel circuit construction wherein a battery carrier is pivotally .movable on the casing and is movable into and out of the casing to carry the battery into and out of engagement with thecontact means within the casing and constituting an on and 01f switch for the device.

Another feature ofthe invention resides in the use of a printed circuit which eliminates all necessity for wiring and provides for a compact, lightweight hearing aid device.

A further feature resides in the provision of a bat- .tery holder which provides for storing the battery and at the same time re-energizes the battery for use in the hearing aid.

Other features and advantages of the invention will e apparent from the specification and claims when considered in connection with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of the device.

Fig.2 is a side view of the sound-producing portion of the hearing aid device.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the sound-receiving portion of the hearing aid .device.

Figs. 4, 5 and .6 show the printed circuit.

Fig. 7 shows the printed circuit with the sound-receiving and sound-producing device and components thereof in positionon the strip with the casings removed.

Fig. 8 shows a view of the device in position on a head.

Fig. 9 shows .a view .of a device for storing the battery while the device is in oif condition to restore the battery.

As shown in Fig. 1, the present invention comprises a headband 10 adapted to extend over the head of a person and having streamlined casings 11, 12 at each end enclosing the sound-receiving and sound-producing :As shown in Figs. 4.1;0 6,.there is provided a thin strip 13 of flexible insulating material of a length to extend from side to side of a head. The strip may be of any a narrow section 13a adapted to extend over the head and gradually-merge into broader base sections 13b, 13c mounting the sound-receiving and sound producing 'means. A-strip is provided on its top or outer surface as shown in Fig. 6, and bottom or inner surface as shown in Fig. 4, with segmented portions of conducting material 14 so as to form what is known in the art as a"-printed circuit-thereon. While the circuit may be produced --in 'manyyways, it is at present preferred to make it by providing a thin lamination of conducting material bonded on either or both sides of the flexible insulating base so as to be integral therewith. The circuit diagram is thendclineated on the metallic surfaces and the remaining conducting metal is etched away.

It will be seen from Figs. 4 to 7 that the segments of conducting material are arranged adjacent end portions 13b, of the strip so as to form the bases for directly mounting the components of each of the sound- .1510 which is connected a volume control 16, transistors 17, condensers 18 and resistors 19, while the lower end 13c has mounted thereon the microphone 2% the battery holder 21 having thebattery 22 therein, the contacts 23 cooperating with the battery to form the on and oifswitch for the device, the transformer 24, condensers 25, transistors 26, resistors 27 and a tone control switch 28 so that the sound-producing and sound-receiving means, including the power supply, amplifying and control means therefor are all compactly carried by the laminated strip as a base.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the means for electrically connecting the sound-receiving and sound-producing means comprises the thin conducting strips 29, 30 on the inner surface and the thin conducting strip 31 on'the outer surface of the thininsulating strip and which extendalong the narrow portion 13a, thus making the portion thatextends across the head as small and compact as possible and devoid of any loose, wires so that it can be readily concealed by the hair.

The sound-receiving means and sound-producing means, including the power supply, amplifying and coritrol means, are covered by the streamlined, light-weight, molded, plastic casings 11, 12, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, which. are secured to the bases 13b, 13c and have base covers 32, 33 overlying the inner faces of the bases and close the casings. The cover 11 for the soundproducing means is shown in Fig. 2 and is provided with an aperture 34 to permit the short acoustical tube 36 to be connected to the sound-producing means for the purpose of air conduction from the sound-producing means to the ear mold ,(not. shown) adapted to be disposed in .the ear and connected to the connection 36g on the end of the tube. The casing is also provided with. apertures 35 on each. side thereof and disposed over .the actuator for the volume .control 16 and t is shaped, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the fingers have ready access to the volume control actuator 16a to operate the same with the hearing aid device in position on the head. The sound-receiving housing 12, shown in Fig. 3, has an aperture 37 overlying the microphone and has the ,tone control lever 28 projecting from {the ,side so that it may be readily engaged for varying the, ,tone of the hearing aid. l

A feature of the present invention resides in the novel arrangement wherein the battery holder 21,is pivotally mountedpnthe base to move into and utof the casir'ig, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, and is adapted to havetlie bottom portion of the battery 22, when moved into the casing, engage the contact portion 39 of the printed circuit while the top face of the battery engages contacts 23 carried on the base so as to constitute the on and off switch for controlling the hearing aid device. This not only eliminates the necessity of the usual on" and off switch but also provides an arrangement wherein the battery, when the device is not in use, is out of the circuit and insures a positive off position which eliminates rundown of the battery or acid leakage when the hearingaid is not in use.

While the flexible insulating base plate may be of sufiicient resiliency to hold the device in position on the head, it is at present preferred to provide a steel spring band 40, as shown in Fig. l, which is'disposed over the narrow portion 13a of the flexible member and is secured to the device so as to securely hold the hearing aid in position. In the illustrated form 'of the invention, the ends of the steel band are secured to the casing members 11, 12 by riveting or other means and the combined band and flexible member are enclosed in a cover 41 of plastic insulating material.

It will be seen from Fig. 8 that the device of the present invention can be readily positioned on the head and since there is but a thin narrow band without any loose wires projecting therefrom extending over the head, it can be readily concealed from view. Further, the enclosing material 41 and casings 11, 12 for the soundreceiving and sound-producing means can be formed of any suitable color to blend with the hair.

The spring band holds the sound-receiving means and sound-producing means securely to the head with a comfortable pressure and permits either a bone-conducting type sound-producing means or an acoustical soundproducing means to be worn as required without substantial change in the device. When the acoustical type is used, it locates the sound-producing means closely ad jacent the ear so that only a short acoustical tube is necessary to extend from the hearing aid device to the ear mold positioned within the ear, thus reducing to a minimum any transmission losses of sound.

Since the present invention provides for locating the battery out of the casing to off position, I have pro- .vided a novel storage device for the battery which comprises a holder 42, preferably of sheet metal, which is provided with a base 43 having an aperture 44. therein into which the positive terminal of the hearing aid battery 22 can be readily insertedand supported on the holder. The holder has an upper arm 45 with-an aper V ture 46 into which the positive terminal of a flashlight battery B can be inserted with the negative terminals of the flashlight battery and the battery 22 in engagement as shown in Fig. 9. It has been found from tests utilizing a large A-type flashlight battery in conjunction with a 625 type hearing aid battery, as shown, that the flashlight battery not only holds the hearing aid battery on the support but at the same time re-energizes the hearing aid battery and increases the life thereof three or four times. 7

From the foregoing it will be seen that .the present invention provides a unique hearing aid device which is contour fitting in design and streamlined for easy concealment and which is so constructed that it completely eliminates wiring and provides a construction of headband design in which the weight and components of the hearing aid are properly distributed and places the microphone close to the ear to receive sounds in a normal location and places the receiver close to the ear for a minimum power loss. a a

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that either bone-conducting or acoustical units can be interchanged without substantial modification of the device, and the controls, such as volume control, tone control and the swingable battery compartment forming. the ,off

land on switch are readily accessible. By theuse of scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A unitary electrically operated hearing aid device comprising interconnected sound-receiving means and sound-producing means, including a power supply and amplifying and control elements; electrical conducting means electrically connecting said sound-receiving means and sound-producing means; a casing extending over each of said sound-receiving and sound-producing means; a pivotal carrier for said power supply means mounted on one of said casings to move the power supply into and out of said casings; and contact means cooperating with the power supply to constitute the on andfoff switch for the device when the power supply is moved into and out of the casing.

2. A unitary electrically operated hearing aid device adapted to be Worn on the head of a person comprising a thin strip of flexible insulating material adapted to extend over the head and having sound-receiving means and sound-producing means, including a power supply and amplifying and control elements mounted adjacent the ends thereof, and electrical conducting means integral with and extending along said strip of insulating material and electrically connecting said sound-receiving means and sound-producing means, said sound-receiving means and sound-producing means each being enclosed in a casing, and said power supply comprising a battery mounted in a pivoted carrier for movement into and out of the casing and cooperating with contacts mounted within the casing and forming a switch for closing and opening the circuit for the sound-receiving and soundproducing means.

3.A unitary electrically operated hearing aid device adapted to be worn on the head of a person comprising a thin flexible strip of insulating material having a narrow portion adapted to extend over the head and having broad end portions forming bases for mounting thereon sound-receiving means and sound-producing means, including a power supply and amplifying and control elements therefor including a volume control member and a tone control member; casing means overlying said sound-receiving and sound-producing means and having apertures to receive said control members, said strip of insulating material having on the surface thereof conducting material providing printed circuits .electrically connecting said sound-receiving means and sound-producing means and the elements thereof;'spring means extending along said narrow portion of the strip and urging said sound-receiving and sound-producing means into holding relation on the head; and an insulating covering disposed over said narrow portion ofstrip and spring means.

4.A unitary electrically operated hearing aid device adapted to be worn on the head of a person comprising a thin flexible strip of insulating material having a narrow portion adapted to extend over the head and having broad end portions forming bases for mounting thereon sound-receiving means and sound-producing means, including a power supply and amplifying and control elements therefor; casing means overlying said sound-receiving and sound-producing means; electrical conducting means integral with and extending along said strip of insulating material and electrically connecting said soundreceiving means and sound-producing means; and spring means extending along said narrow portion of the strip and urging said sound-receiving and sound-producing means into holding relation on the head.

5. A unitary electrically operated hearing aid device adapted to be worn on the head of a person comprising a thin flexible strip of insulating material having a narrow portion adapted to extend over the head and having broad end portions forming bases for mounting thereon soundreceiving means and sound-producing means, including a power supply and amplifying and control elements therefor; easing means overlying said sound-receiving and sound-producing means; electrical conducting means integral with and extending along said strip of insulating material and electrically connecting said sound-receiving means and sound-producing means; spring means extending along said narrow portion of the strip and urging said sound-receiving and sound-producing means into holding relation on the head; and an insulating covering disposed over said narrow portion of strip and spring means.

6.A unitary electrically operated hearing aid device adapted to be worn on the head of a wearer comprising a thin flexible strip of insulating material having a narrow portion adapted to extend over the head and having broad end portions forming bases for mounting thereon soundreceiving means and sound-producing means, including a power supply and amplifying and control elements therefor, casing means mounted on said bases and enclosing said sound-receiving and sound-producing means, electrical conducting means comprising printed circuits on each side of said strip of insulating material and extending along said strip and electrically connecting said soundreceiving means and sound-producing means and the power supply and amplifying and control elements therefor, and resilient means interconnecting said casings and overlying the narrow portion for holding said device in position on the head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,154,069 Soret Sept. 21, 1915 1,248,978 Youmans Dec. 4, 1917 1,460,604 Potter July 13, 1923 2,474,988 Sargrove July 5, 1949 2,564,425 Corso et al Aug. 14, 1951 2,613,282 Scaife Oct. 7, 1952 2,647,955 Stalcup Aug. 4, 1953 2,681,389 Shaper June 15, 1954 2,765,373 Smith Oct. 2, 1956 2,792,457 Zapellom' May 14, 1957 FQREIGN PATENTS 1,071,991 France Mar. 10, 1954 526,640 Belgium J Mar. 15, 1954 

